UNE students develop trail use policies for Kennebunkport Conservation Trust

Students in a University of New England College of Business class are supporting a local conservation nonprofit this semester as a part of their curriculum. 

In an Outdoor Recreation Planning and Policy class, students have been working directly with two representatives from Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, or KCT, to develop recommendations for a trail use policy on the Meadow Woods Preserve, the newest conservation project for KCT, that effectively bridges conservation goals with public access and recreation.

Situated between Biddeford and Kennebunk, the preserve is nearly 371 acres of meadows, woods, and wetlands. The organization is in the process of creating an outdoor gathering space, stretches of trails, dog recreational areas, and educational opportunities for the community, according to the land trust. 

UNE students in Outdoor Business and Innovation (OBI) stepped in to help, applying classroom knowledge to practical challenges faced by the local conservation organization to create prospective policies, said Aimee Vlachos, Ed.D., teaching professor and program director for the Outdoor Business and Innovation major. 

“This project balances the traditional classroom experience with opportunities that you can only find if you are working in the outdoor industry,” Vlachos said, noting that by engaging with local organizations and tackling actual challenges, UNE’s OBI students gain the skills and practical experience needed to make meaningful contributions to the field of outdoor recreation management and policy development.

The students originally met with KCT representatives about the policy goals and divided into teams to do research and build different policy considerations. When developing the trail use policy, students had to balance environmental concerns, recreational activities, and legal restrictions, all while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for the users of the site, said Piper Stagg (OBI and Marine Science,’ 27). 

“We are not just doing projects in this class — We are doing real work that is relevant to the outdoor recreation industry,” Stagg said. “This project gave me a deeper appreciation for the process of outdoor recreation planning.”

The collaboration between the UNE students and KCT has been mutually beneficial, Vlachos added.

 “It’s something that (the land trust) is looking to implement. It’s real life, and students take it seriously,” she said.

Stagg partnered with three other students, including first-year student Ava Richardson (OBI,’ 28). 

“Being able to be so hands-on in the development of a park so early into my education has been a fantastic experience and really allowed me to understand where I want to make a difference environmentally,” Richardson said, who is minoring in Marine Sciences.

The class presented their policy recommendations to land trust staff members Jenna Van Haren, education coordinator, and Juliann Lapierre, Environmental Science ’24, property manager, who was a UNE North Sustainability Fellow for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust last summer. 

Lapierre and Van Haren will take the proposed trail use policy from the student presentations to later present to the board. Lapierre encouraged the students to attend the meeting, and many said they would.

“I’m truly impressed by the depth and thoughtfulness of these presentations,” she said, noting the student’s use of balancing conservation with local community engagement. Addressing the students after the presentations, she said, “Your proposals could really enhance our community’s experience while protecting our natural resources.”